Oroville film about Jesus wins international film festival award

OROVILLE >> When Oroville filmmakers Nancy Myers and Desiree De Anda head to Houston in April for a gala film festival, they won't know until then whether they'll take home silver, gold or platinum awards.

On April 12, Myers and De Anda will attend the 47th annual WorldFest International Film Festival awards ceremony, where their low-budget movie "Jesus, The Desire of Ages" will win a Remi award.

They'll also receive an award for a seven-minute music video titled, "Never Alone."

I feel thrilled," said Myers in a phone call Wednesday. "It's a big deal for us. We're little fish in the pond ... we're happy."

De Anda said she's ecstatic because the awards mean opportunities.

"God brought a humble little work," De Anda said. "It's exciting. To be able to get it out there with a Remi award is huge."

Myers directed "Jesus, The Desire of Ages" and wrote the screenplay based on a book by Ellen White. It was filmed last March at their Golden Eagle Films studio in Oroville and atop Table Mountain on a very low budget.

WorldFest International Film Festival is one of three main festivals in the United states and one of the biggest for independent filmmakers, De Anda said.

Festival official Kathleen Haney said more than 3,500 projects were entered from more than 40 countries. Unlike the Hollywood Oscars, winners in sub categories are notified they're top winners. There are many categories, such as full-length features 70 minutes or longer, short subjects, documentaries, film and video productions, and television and cable.

"It's like 10 festivals in one," Haney said.

De Anda said "Desire of Ages" was entered as a Christian feature film. "Never Alone" is the ending scene of a film in progress. Because it contains a stand-alone story, she and Myers entered it in the music video category. Myers said the Remi award is like the Oscar for independent films.

In judging, points are given on cinematography, musical score and other crafts. The total score is added and the winner gets either gold, silver or platinum.

Besides the upcoming award, "Jesus, Desire of Ages" is also getting worldwide attention through screenings at churches and in some theaters, as well as through individual purchases of DVDs.

De Anda said there is a lot of interest in the movie in Australia, Britain and Canada, as well as small countries.

There has also been a lot of attention in the United states.

She said a lot of churches will be screening "Desire of Ages" over Easter weekend in April.

To Myers, the award for the Jesus film is important because it's their first major film.

More than 100 people participated as cast and crew and were paid a minimal wage.

"What was exciting to see is that it was across denominational barriers," said Myers.

Screenings are also crossing denominational lines, De Anda said. While the majority of showings are throughout the Seventh-day Adventist churches, others are also obtaining the film and showing it.

Golden Eagle Films provides posters, fliers and trailers (clips) free to those who buy the DVD for screenings.

Individuals can also buy the DVD for $19.95, De Anda Said.

She said they feel "humbled and blessed" at the award and how interest in the movie is growing.

"It just seems like God is watching us in ways that are incredible," De Anda said.

She never expected to be flying out to Houston, or for a low budget Christian film to be recognized by such a big film festival organization.

"The most exciting thing about the Remi, that we're praising God for, is that it's getting so much exposure," De Anda said. "More people are seeing the movie. We pray people who have never known before would see his face. That is our biggest goal and what we are most excited about."